New York Yankees Bobby Abreu heads toward third base after hitting a three run home run against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during the first inning of their baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)

Jason Giambi is the A's next free-agent target, but there are others on Oakland's list, too.

The Chronicle has learned that the team has had preliminary conversations about free-agent outfielders Bobby Abreu and Garret Anderson as possible options should Giambi stick firmly to his wish for a three-year deal. A's general manager Billy Beane has had brief contact with the agents for Abreu and Anderson.

Both men are younger than designated hitter/first baseman Giambi, who will be 38 in January. Anderson is 36 and Abreu will be 35 in March. Anderson is a three-time All-Star and Abreu a two-time All-Star.

Abreu is likely to be the most expensive of the three, given his age and his production, but the A's have more money than usual to spend this offseason and they are looking for another bat to put behind major offseason acquisition Matt Holliday. Abreu has driven in 100 RBIs or more seven times, including last season for the Yankees, and he has a career on-base percentage of .405.

The A's are more than familiar with Anderson, who has spent his entire 14-year career with the Angels. He's the all-time franchise leader in RBIs, with 1,292, and his career batting average is .296.

The Rays and the White Sox are the other teams most recently connected with Abreu, and Tampa Bay already has begun courting Giambi. The Rays, looking to improve their offense, are thought to have interest in Anderson, too.

Last week, Oakland's front office was preparing to open talks with Giambi's agent, Arn Tellem, but no developments are expected until after the holidays.

While the A's are strongly considering bringing Giambi back into the fold, another of the team's former stars is not likely to be an option. Though the A's have been attempting to upgrade at shortstop, they do not have interest in trading for Houston's Miguel Tejada, according to a team source.